Register a birth
Appointments are available Monday to Friday between 9am and 4.30pm.
Please pay for your certificates online when booking your appointment.
Legal requirements
You are legally required to register your baby's birth within 42 days of the date of birth, and in the borough where the birth took place. The baby does not need to be brought to the registration.
Babies born in Wandsworth
If your baby was born in Wandsworth, the birth must be registered at Wandsworth Register Office. You will need to book an appointment. Appointments are available Monday to Friday between 9am and 4.30pm.
If it is not convenient to come to our register office (for example, if you live far away), then you can go to any register office in England and Wales to give a declaration, and they will send us the information so that we can register the birth. Once registered you can order birth certificates online.
Babies born outside of Wandsworth
If your baby was born outside of Wandsworth and you are a Wandsworth resident, we can take a 'birth declaration' on behalf of the relevant register office where the baby was born. We do not charge for this service. The attested declaration will be sent directly from us to the registering registrar, and cannot be taken away with you.
Please contact us by phone or email if you wish to make an appointment for a declaration.
We will not be able to issue certificates for you following the registration so please check how to apply for these from the receiving register office (where the baby was born). Bear in mind this will cause some delay to them being sent out to you.
Fee
- £11 per certificate (statutory fee)
Corrections
Cash or card payment is acceptable for Wandsworth births. A cheque or postal order is required for out-of-borough births.
It could cost £90 (statutory fee) to correct a mistake in a birth registration. It is your responsibility to provide accurate information at the registration and check the record carefully. Your signature is your confirmation that the entry is correct.
Who can register the birth
If you are married
If you were married at the time of birth, either parent can register the birth.
If you are not married
If you were not married, both parents must attend for the father's details to be entered into the register.
Alternatively, if one parent cannot attend the register office, they will need to complete a statutory declaration form, which must be attested by a legal professional. The parent registering the birth should give the completed form to the registrar.
If you are not married, you can leave out the father's details from the register. If you would like to do this, tell the Registrar and they will ask only relevant questions. You can enter the father's details at a later date by re-registering the birth.
What to bring
It is essential that you bring:
- The discharge notes or the red book from the hospital
- For birth declarations: cheque or postal order
- If you do not understand English: please bring someone who can translate for you
It would also be helpful if you could bring:
- Your passport(s) or birth certificate(s)
What information is registered
Child
- Date and place of birth. Separate dates and times for multiple births, such as twins
- The child's sex
- The first name, middle names (if applicable) and surname a child will be brought up with
Father/Second Parent (where applicable)
- First name, middle names (if applicable) and surname
- Date and place of birth
- Occupation at time of the child's birth. If not employed, the previous occupation
Mother
- First name, middle names (if applicable) and surname
- Maiden surname/surname at birth (if different than time of birth)
- Date and place of birth
- Occupation at time of the child's birth. If not employed, the previous occupation